DASHER BOARD MAINTANENCE
Arena dasher boards take a lot of abuse. Therefore we recommend that you visually inspect the ice side of your dashers every day and do a more detailed thorough inspection of your complete dasher board system every 30 days.
Puck Board and shield supports should be visually inspected for loose or protruding fasteners. Damaged or loose plastic, protruding screws, and damaged shielding should be replaced or repaired when located.
Always replace any damaged, stripped, or protruding screws and fasteners with the correct hardware.
Expansion and contraction in the dashers and concrete can result in some minor binding of the puck board at gate openings. This can be corrected by removing the excess material with a block plane however care should be taken to remove as little material as possible to allow for the proper function of the gate.
Gate hinges and ice side openers require periodic lubrication as part of your regular maintenance. In locations where self-lubricated hinges are used, plastic bushings should be inspected for wear, and replaced as necessary.
Gate latches and closure bars require periodic lubrication and inspection for metal burrs that may impair the free movement in the striker and keepers. Any burrs should be removed with a fine metal file. Replace latch wear plates as required.
Cane bolt receptacle holes should be intact and free of ice. The cane bolt should fit easily into the receptacle to ensure the gate is properly secured when closed.
Inspect the machine gate castors to ensure they are properly secured, and in good working condition. The castor should carry the weight of the gate as it is opened to reduce leaning in the frames and stress on the anchors. Proper functioning castors will make the gates easier to operate, and eliminate potential damage to the dasher frames.
Thresholds should be checked to ensure that they are properly secured to the anchors or frames. Loose thresholds can prevent proper gate operation and are a potential trip hazard for your patrons. Threshold do eventually wear out, and should be replaced with new threshold materials available from your dasher supplier.
Inspect your shield supports (also known as mullions) to ensure that the face plates securing the glass are properly tightened, and that the mullion is properly seated in the bracket or holder on the frame. Any protruding fasteners on either side of the mullion should be removed as they present a potential injury problem for your user groups or spectators. Adjust any poorly fitted shields or gaskets to maintain proper containment in the mullion.
Replace any damaged acrylic or tempered shields as soon as they are discovered. Shield failure during a hockey event could result in spectator or player injuries.
When replacing broken tempered glass shields, ensure that all of the glass pieces are removed from the sill and gaskets. Even the smallest piece, when left behind and in contact with the new shield, can cause failure of the replacement shield. Always handle tempered glass shields with caution, taking care not to bump the edges, or sit them down directly onto concrete floors.
Where safety shields are removed from the system, care should be taken when re-installing the shields to ensure that all shields are properly fitted with the appropriate sized gasket. Missing gaskets should be immediately replaced. Shields should be stored on end, and not laid flat.
Shield and Dasher Carts should be inspected prior to each use to ensure that the metal frames are securely fastened, and that all wheels are functioning properly. Always use extreme care when loading or unloading the carts, ensuring that you maintain a balanced cart weight. Improper use of the carts may result in them tipping and spilling heavy glass onto the floor or workers.
We recommend that shields and boards be cleaned with soap and water. Other materials, as approved by glass, acrylic, and plastics manufacturers may by used, however care should be taken to ensure material residue that may interfere with the bonding of ice is not left on the rink floor.
In floor anchors should always be of stainless steel material to prevent rusting.
Benches should be checked for fastener problems and sharp edges or slivers. Ensure that the benches present a clean, smooth seating area for your user groups.
An annual inspection should include a review of all visible frames. Check for any broken welds, loose or missing bolts, and damaged anchors. Repair or replace damaged materials immediately.
The dasher system is not designed to be used as a guide for your ice resurfacer. The force of the resurfacer on the dashers can cause damage to the frames, plastic, fasteners, and anchoring.
Under no circumstances should abrasive cleaners or tools be used on boards or shields. Abrasive or mechanical cleaners that mark the surface will aggravate vision and cleaning problems. Acrylic should only be cleaned with materials that are clearly marked for use with acrylic, and puck board should only be cleaned with materials for cleaning High Density Polyethylene.
Puck board will expand and contract with temperature change. Therefore removable dasher sections should be stored in a climatically controlled area, and not directly exposed to weather.
Prior to making ice, the dashers should be caulked at the floor to seal the area between the dashers and the concrete. We recommend a non-hardening acoustical caulking, and the use of foam caulking rod to fill any large gaps. This will reduce any water flow from the ice area.
Regular inspection and maintenance will enhance the appearance and increase the life expectancy of your dasher system. Maintain a log of your inspections, problems found and how and when corrected. This will provide proof of regular inspections and maintenance, should it ever be required.
About the Author:
Perry Coleman has over 15 years experience in the arena market and has been involved in numerous arena projects throughout the world. Perry can be reached throughhttp://www.recsportproducts.com
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:16:23 - 100%
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